Malkin, the NHL’s leading scorer with 69 points (32G-37A) through his first 49 games, had a huge weekend while leading the Penguins to back-to-back home wins against the Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning.

On Saturday, Malkin notched a goal and four assists versus the Jets to record his sixth career five-point game – and his third of the 2011-12 season. Malkin followed that up yesterday by scoring a pair of goals against the Lightning.

Malkin’s two goals yesterday also extended his streak of scoring goals in consecutive home games to eight, tying him for the second-longest streak in franchise history behind Mario Lemieux’s 11-game home goal-scoring streak in 1996. Malkin’s eight-game streak also tied his linemate James Neal, who had a similar run earlier this season, for the longest home goal-scoring streak in the NHL since the league returned from the lockout in 2005-06.

In the midst of perhaps his best NHL season, Malkin currently leads the Penguins in goals (32), assists (37), points (69), rating (+11) and game-winning goals (7). His 32 goals rank second in the NHL behind only the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steven Stamkos (37 goals). At his current pace, Malkin would establish a career high with 49 goals.

This is the sixth time this season Malkin has been honored by the NHL. He was the ‘First Star’ for December and ‘Second Star’ of January. On three previous occasions he’s also garnered weekly NHL awards – ‘First Star’ for the week ending Jan. 23; ‘Third Star’ for the week ending Jan. 15; and ‘Third Star’ for the week ending Dec. 18.